BOULDER, Colo.– Elevations Credit Union hosted a successful month-long toy collection drive at its branches for local nonprofit organizations Realities for Children and Share-A-Gift.
Through the efforts of its members, who dropped off donations at the branches, Elevations has become one of the largest contributors to the nonprofits, which both provide toys to low-income families along Colorado’s Front Range. Elevations has been collecting toys and other goods at its branches to benefit nonprofits for over 10 years.
Toys were collected at Fort Collins and Loveland Elevations branches for Realities for Children's Santa's Workshop, a grassroots effort that has grown into a county-wide toy and winter gear distribution. This event began as an unsolicited movement by local businesses, schools, neighborhoods, churches and other groups who set out to collect and deliver new toys for the children they serve over the holidays.
More than 90 local businesses and community members dropped off red bins full of toys for the Realities for Children’s Santa's Workshop distribution. Thirty-seven volunteers from the community sorted the toys to get them ready for Partner Agencies to come and shop for children.
In Boulder County, toys were collected for Share-A-Gift starting Thanksgiving week through the middle of December. Share-A-Gift volunteers set up and organize a “Toy Shop” in a donated warehouse space where toys are distributed to families in need. On a single day, all eligible parents are able to come and “shop” – selecting toys for their children with the help of hundreds of volunteer assistants.
Share-A-Gift was able to give toys to 1,324 children in the Boulder Valley School District and 679 people volunteered to assist with the toy drive. In addition, 23 schools held toy drives and six schools held bike drives to help fill the shop.
“Each year, Share-A-Gift services about 600 families from birth to 14 years old,” said Laura Ford, Share-A-Gift board member. “In most instances these families would not be able to provide holiday gifts for their children. It is a bright spot in many of their holiday celebrations.”
“It has been another great year of donations,” said Jeffrey Kash, Elevations Credit Union’s community development manager. “We couldn’t be happier with the large number of toys and winter gear we delivered to these great organizations that will get it in the hands of families who need it the most.”